Random thoughts...

Not me, but you've brought up some very interesting questions ! 1983 ???? You've gotta be kidding ! 😭

I still have a page or two from a newspaper from 1970. It is about a former Illinois politician who died with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash where he lived, much of it in a shoe box.

Posted by: @ed-davis

I still have a page or two from a newspaper from 1970. It is about a former Illinois politician who died with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash where he lived, much of it in a shoe box.

Good old Secretary of State Paul Powell.

@paul-rouffa 

Yes, that is the one.

Randy, what did you see for prices of cars by Motor City?

Posted by: @ed-davis

Randy, what did you see for prices of cars by Motor City?

They are the only white metal models worth keeping and selling at the best offer on the resale market.

I know because I sold some of them for very big money 20 years ago. There is also a few old Conquest commanding some money but other than that, white metal models are pretty cheap to buy and build up a large collection.

Posted by: @randyrusk

So my last observation is that it seems to be a buyer's market right now. Anyone else having that experience? 

Allow me to answer the latter question first:

1) I do see prices "softening"  a bit with models & 1:1 cars. Some dealerships (not all ) have resumed bargaining, and some auction sellers will except lower (not "low ball" ) offers.  IMO, based on auction money I've received, it's still a some-what seller's market. 

2) MiniMarque Models: Always remember, "One man's junk is another man's treasure,"  but the "reverse"  is also true, "One man's treasure is another man's junk."  I've seen affluent collectors display very expensive car & train models haphazardly then just give them to the grandkids (to trash ).  It happens....  🙄 🙄 🙄 

3) Old newspaper: I suspect thousands probably have old newspaper stored somewhere. My guess is that seller finally decided to "use his stash"  thinking all the while someone might get a chuckle out of it.  Years ago, I came across near mint & complete newspapers from the late 1950's & early '80's.  I brought them to work and distributed them among the other papers, mags, etc...     Only a few people even noticed. 😯 😔 

Softening of prices? We may get an indication of this at the Countryside show next month.

I think there may be some softening here and there. But we should keep I'm mind that those models that have been so precious to us are beginning to fade a bit in their desireablity to others as our peer group ages. We saw this happen in 1/24. Some models that were very difficult to find began showing up on the market as collections were liquidated and prices began to drop. I've been watching Motor City listings on eBay. The prices are incredibly high, but there are very few sold transactions in those price ranges.

Furthermore, the market for new models is very healthy. But, the subject matter is changing to more modern images. There are still plenty of classics around. But the ones that sell out the fastest are far more recent than anyone thought possible ten years ago. More money is being poured into those models than some of the older ones. 

Of course, there are some exceptions. But, the trend is toward newer models made with newer technology, producing better replicas. This, IMO, also has an impact on some previous issues. Some of the models I marveled at years ago are beginning to look a little chunky compared to what I see today. Brooklin is a prime example of this. Who ever imagined that some of the best white metal ever made would come from Brooklin? But, take a few moments to sit one of their recent releases, the '46 Pontiac Torpedo comes to mind, next to any MOC or Minimarque and see what they've done. Their models are incredible and still manage to sell for what a new MOC was selling for fifteen to twenty years ago. 

Ultimately, it may not matter much to most collectors who buy for the enjoyment of collecting. We all know this hobby is not an investment. In the meantime, there may be good opportunities for some of us to pick up holy grails from years past. 

"... packed in a newspaper from 1983!"  Conquest started in the 1980s so perhaps they have been wrapped up in storage since then?

Look forward to seeing photos o your finds and seeing you in a few weeks!

Certainly no softening in the prices of old Dinky Toys. I bid on 35 items at an auction last Saturday, won none of them. But then I was on the road and could only bid the night before and hope. A few went into 4 figures, one extremely rare one fetching $6400 + 25% commission.

@mg-harv Do you remember which Dinky Toy went for $6400?

Posted by: @ed-davis

@mg-harv Do you remember which Dinky Toy went for $6400?

This one went for £6,400:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/jun/08/dinky-toy-auction

I'm noticing some crazy prices for diecast cars

Except for the ones released as taxis the cheapest PremiumX Lincoln town car starts at $78, including shipping up to $331 from Japan.

A Norev 2006 Chrysler 300 C starts at $115 to $265, again from Japan.

Also a number of sellers have DeAgostini's Grand Autos of Mexico for sale, most are reasonably  priced (except for shipping) except one in particular, a 1979 Chrysler Lebaron woody wagon. Asking prices start at $89.90. I was bidding on one yesterday and the last two snipers bid it over $100  

This one was rare even in Mexico and sells for twice the asking price of others in the series. I wonder if it ran into licensing issues with Stellantis?